Exercising While Pregnant Was Worth the Effort for Me

by Brenna Stone on January 29, 2015

Brenna Stone

About the Author

Brenna Stone is a 32-year-old freelance writer with a passion for all things pure and natural, especially when it comes to her children. She is the mother of two adorable little girls, a baby and a three-year-old. Aside from writing, researching, and coming up with new ways to make life inspiring and enriching for her little ones, she loves nothing more than a good book and a cup of tea. Her work has appeared in Holistic Health and several online publications.

About the Blog

WhatToExpect.com supports Word of Mom as a place to share stories and highlight the many perspectives and experiences of pregnancy and parenting. However, the opinions expressed in this section are those of individual writers and do not reflect the views of Heidi Murkoff of the What to Expect brand.

Whether you were a marathon runner before getting pregnant or a member of the less physically active end of the spectrum, exercising while pregnant is important. I used both of my pregnancies as a reason to get back into a regular, healthy exercise routine and, believe me, it was worth it. While managing pregnancy weight gain is a big perk, the real benefits of keeping your body fit are more profound than simply meeting your weekly weight goals. For me exercise was about relieving all the stress and anxiety that can come with being pregnant, especially in those first few months. It was about keeping my energy levels up and preparing my body for the big day. Most important of all, those long walks and yoga classes were for my little one. I knew that the healthier I was, the healthier she would be.

What are the best activities for pregnant women? Although my doctor told me that almost any non-contact activity is typically safe, I stayed away from intense workouts because I hadn't exactly been running 20 miles a week preconception. Instead, I opted for walking and yoga. Exercising while pregnant was always easy and enjoyable for me. I never tried to challenge myself physically and always maintained a healthy routine.

Walking was the foundation of my exercise routine. I would look forward to putting on my comfortable sneakers, getting some fresh air, and walking around the neighborhood parks. I would keep a fast pace and include a few hills in every walk. Thirty minutes a day was my goal, but I never timed myself or worried if I missed a day. I also started taking yoga classes for the first time in my life during my first pregnancy. Prenatal yoga classes are wonderful for toning, stretching, and stress relief. I also found that the experience of being in a room with other pregnant women, not necessarily chatting away about motherhood anticipation, but simply being with them, was comforting. The yoga classes were so enjoyable that I still use yoga today to help keep my body in shape.

It is worth it to develop a pregnancy workout routine. Pregnancy is wonderful, but it can also be physically and mentally challenging: the back pain, the fatigue, those nights when all you want is a peaceful sleep, but you just can't get comfortable. Regular exercise can make a huge positive difference and ease your pregnancy and life postpartum. Developing healthy workout habits before becoming a mom is a massive bonus. I don't have as much time for myself with two little girls, but those 20 minutes of yoga in the morning and squeezing in a walk when I can keeps me feeling fit and sane.

What are are your favorite pregnancy exercises? Tell us in the comments section below.

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